In this article by Wheelscience here, it’s explained very succinctly why road cyclists should ride the deepest rims they can – and how the benefits of better aerodynamics outweigh the benefits of lighter wheels. Every. Time.
Essentially, for any given rider, the difference in speed at a given power output will always be better with aero wheels vs. box-section rims.
In the table below, 88mm deep carbon rims are compared to Mavic Aksium “standard” rims. It clearly shows the benefits of using more aerodynamic wheels.
It’s clear to me now, that based on this study, the best upgrade which WILL make you faster on the road, is a set of more aerodynamic wheels.
Of course, for riders in windier areas (like the Western Cape) 88mm deep rims may not be practical, but a set of 40-50mm deep wheels should be perfect.
Questions? Get in touch and let’s discuss.
